Used BMW 3 series questions?

Hey guys,

I am looking at buying a 2007/08 BMW 3 Series. I found one that caught my eye. It's a 316I ES / 100,000 miles / €2,950. This is my first saloon car purchase at the moment I am using a Nissan Note, and I don't like hatchbacks. I am currently looking for a solution to last me 2-3 years max. I am looking at buying it from a SIMI but is there anything I should be wary of when buying it? What are the costs per year do you think of maintaining a 2007 BMW? Do you guys have any suggestions for saloons under €5000? Easy enough for a 23-year-old to get insured.

Thanks,

Andy

Stallingrad

Have you checked the insurance on BMW? If it is only for two to three years then if the car checks out and you like it out you have little to lose. I'd be looking to buy a privately for a car with a good service history. If you are lucky factor €1,000 on servicing for 3 years assuming the car checks out before you buy it.

People will be on to tell you that this was not one of BMW's finest efforts and the 316es is about as low as you can go, but if you like it go for it. This car is just a stepping stone on to bigger and better things.

Stallingrad

Though this would be so much nicer than the 3.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-alfa-romeo-159-nct-10-2019-new-timing-belt/18940402

tedpan

Stallingrad wrote:

Though this would be so much nicer than the 3.

Riddled with problems...

bazz26

First of all buying from a SIMI member dealer adds no value for a buyer. The SIMI are a loby group made up of dealer members with their own interests at heart. Secondly, buying a car of that age or value from any dealer rarely makes sense as the after sales on offer is usually not worth the paper it's written on.

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

First of all buying from a SIMI member dealer adds no value for a buyer. The SIMI are a loby group made up of dealer members with their own interests at heart. Secondly, buying a car of that age or value from any dealer rarely makes sense as the after sales on offer is usually not worth the paper it's written on.

Ah ok didn’t know that about SIMI dealers. I have about €5000 to spend exc insurance & tax. Would you have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Andy

Idbatterim

Any particular reason you want a bm?

Idbatterim

Idbatterim wrote: »

Any particular reason you want a bm?

I’ve always liked them. Been in them a couple of times and always found them very comfortable. Also my friend has one and he raves about his as well haha

Andy

bazz26

You will be very disappointed with a 316i then.

Atlantic Dawn

Is the ES not the lowest possible spec? Must be much better around for similar money.

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

You will be very disappointed with a 316i then.

Haha there is a 318I I have my eye on. Any better?

Idbatterim

A 316 wouldn’t pull you out of bed. Would you not prefer a coupe?

Idbatterim

Idbatterim wrote: »

A 316 wouldn’t pull you out of bed. Would you not prefer a coupe?

It must be better than the Nissan Note I have at the moment. I don’t mind coupes!

Farfromhome02

Personally I'd avoid
Buying a BMW of that age is like throwing your money on a horse with 3 legs in the bookies
Buy private,pay a mechanic to view car with you

Honestfrank01

Deleted User wrote:

Haha there is a 318I I have my eye on. Any better?

I have a 2006 318I cant fault it besides paying 700odd on road tax the only issue is that you will be getting a 2ltr engine much more poke than the 1.6 316 version but probably bring your insurance up a bit

bazz26

Not as glamorous as a BMW but has more poke than a 316i and ultimately won't drain your wallet:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-2010-finance-arranged/20526067

SEPT 23 1989

tedpan wrote: »

Riddled with problems...

Probably more reliable than those 3series

Avoid OP unless you like throwing good money after bad

melikebanana

Never understood the hate for the 316. I ran a 316i auto se for 2 years and loved the car. Its not fast by any means, but the auto box was great in the city where I do most of my driving. Very relaxing to drive on a long run and if you find yourself on a country road the road holding and handling is excellent. Just make sure it has a good service history and timing chain, cooling system, etc is ok. (pre purchase inspection would be a good idea).

Honestfrank01

Just another thing to look out for is the the sensor mat under the passenger side of the 3 series can be dodge and can throw out the pre tensioners on seatbelts so worth checking

Stallingrad

melikebanana wrote: »

Never understood the hate for the 316.

It's a default position for entry level BMW's, usually be people who have no experience of them. Entry level cars enjoy most of the attributes of most potent versions (comfort, refinement, build, etc), and for many that is enough. Not everyone needs or wants a fully loaded 330d.

Dow99

I had a 2007 316i ES. You probably wont get a better 1.6l car --- lovely car to drive. The only thing I didnt like was the standard wheels look too small for the car, but this can be easily fixed!

coronaextra

Running a 2006 320i Msport for the past year, paid €3000 at the time for full leather and 90,000 miles manual. I cant fault the car, it is such a joy to drive and I now find it hard to drive anything else. Its such a jump form driving toyotas, hondas, Mitsubishi that I was used to previously.

It did have a few niggles, replaced the coil packs (around €150 for set) and auxilary belt tensioner (40€) in the summer. Leaks petrol when you fill it to the top. It also requires new rear shocks as i noticed one leaking when changing the tyre but simple to fix , bought new ones just didn't get round to it yet. paid around 100€ for pair in autofactors (BMW dealer looking 220€ each). Also have it booked in in new year for a heater relay problem recall.

Sent it through NCT last week without fixing the shocks and all it failed on the fuel filter cap seal (nothing to do with the leaking fuel problem), as well as rear tail lights not having a matching pattern. Have no idea how the shocks didn't cause it to fail? maybe both rears gone, leaving stability even?

I think the tail light issue is going to be the most challenging, as none of the bulbs are blown or any obvious connection issues. From doing some online research it appears the module for controlling the lights has detected a fault at some stage and sent power to a different rear light not to lesve you without a tail light. I have ordered a code reader and I am going to try reset it when it arrives,hopefully I can get it sorted.

I went for the petrol as it they were cheaper and not driven to the moon and back like most 320ds of that era. Fuel consumption isn't much worse than a 1.4 ep civic that I was running but I do drive lightly. There is a nice bit of power there when needed, nothing to get excited about but when the car handles so well it is a fun drive. It handles like a go kart, so balanced.

I think the 316i is a 1.6? and 318i and 320i both 2.0 Litre. not sure how a 1.6 lump would cope with powering the car, it may be underpowered and consequently may not be any easier on juice than the 2.0. Just higher tax on the larger units.

Overall Im delighted I took the plunge into the BMW fraternity and so far I haven't come across any issues that you wouldn't see on any other car. They are not too bad to work on , just a different things to learn.

Best of luck on your search

Henry Ford III

coronaextra wrote: »

Running a 2006 320i Msport for the past year, paid €3000 at the time for full leather and 90,000 miles manual. I cant fault the car, it is such a joy to drive and I now find it hard to drive anything else. Its such a jump form driving toyotas, hondas, Mitsubishi that I was used to previously.

It did have a few niggles, replaced the coil packs (around €150 for set) and auxilary belt tensioner (40€) in the summer. Leaks petrol when you fill it to the top. It also requires new rear shocks as i noticed one leaking when changing the tyre but simple to fix , bought new ones just didn't get round to it yet. paid around 100€ for pair in autofactors (BMW dealer looking 220€ each). Also have it booked in in new year for a heater relay problem recall.

Sent it through NCT last week without fixing the shocks and all it failed on the fuel filter cap seal (nothing to do with the leaking fuel problem), as well as rear tail lights not having a matching pattern. Have no idea how the shocks didn't cause it to fail? maybe both rears gone, leaving stability even?

I think the tail light issue is going to be the most challenging, as none of the bulbs are blown or any obvious connection issues. From doing some online research it appears the module for controlling the lights has detected a fault at some stage and sent power to a different rear light not to lesve you without a tail light. I have ordered a code reader and I am going to try reset it when it arrives,hopefully I can get it sorted.

I went for the petrol as it they were cheaper and not driven to the moon and back like most 320ds of that era. Fuel consumption isn't much worse than a 1.4 ep civic that I was running but I do drive lightly. There is a nice bit of power there when needed, nothing to get excited about but when the car handles so well it is a fun drive. It handles like a go kart, so balanced.

I think the 316i is a 1.6? and 318i and 320i both 2.0 Litre. not sure how a 1.6 lump would cope with powering the car, it may be underpowered and consequently may not be any easier on juice than the 2.0. Just higher tax on the larger units.

Overall Im delighted I took the plunge into the BMW fraternity and so far I haven't come across any issues that you wouldn't see on any other car. They are not too bad to work on , just a different things to learn.

Best of luck on your search

Don't like the sound of that. If fuel leaks when full then fuel vapours are escaping all the time surely?

wandererz

Have a 2006 320D which i may sell if it's any interest to you. 59,000 Miles. 2 owners
Dark Blue. Dark cream leather. I bought it at 25K miles. Only do long distance trips on it.

M57 engine. None of the usual problems as with the N engines.
Timing chain (not belt), no DPF to worry about.
Swirl flaps removed (so no chance of failure there).
When i did that i replaced the vortex filter with the improved model (so no chance of failure there either).
And replaced the glow plugs (no need to replace glow plugs as often as spark plugs on a petrol).

Has a Superchips Bluefin remap which can be added and removed whenever you want to. Brings it from 163bhp to around 196/200. Great torque hence power through all the ranges. Leaves most other E90's standing & long gone in my mirror.

Only used Liqui Moly (German) oil since I've had it.

Ceramic coating by Spirit Detailing in Maynooth. Only needs a regular wash to look the biz.
Bluetooth, sunroof.
Probably the lowest mileage of its year in Ireland.

Running costs: It only costs me the price of oil, air filter, cabin filter & wiper blades every 6 months.

ABS unit did fail (common problem on E90's) but been replaced since.

Only considering selling because i have the lowest mileage 07 Saab on the planet. I use the Saab for short trips (petrol) & the BMW for motorway journeys which i won't be doing any longer. This is one diesel that you won't see any black smoke in your rearview when you floor it due to the way it's maintained.

If a 2L diesel is within your insurance & tax budget I'd thoroughly recommend it.

H3llR4iser

tedpan wrote: »

Riddled with problems...

Care to mention? Are you the previous owner and know the car is a lemon?

Blazer

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Don't like the sound of that. If fuel leaks when full then fuel vapours are escaping all the time surely?

its a quick and easy fix. Notorious on the 3 series at that time. Just replace the piping with a better quality one.
In the meantime don't fill the tank .,only halfway..

Armadillo

wandererz wrote: »

Have a 2006 320D which i may sell if it's any interest to you. 59,000 Miles. 2 owners
Dark Blue. Dark cream leather. I bought it at 25K miles. Only do long distance trips on it.

If a 2L diesel is within your insurance & tax budget I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Sounds a good one - is it advertised and could you put link to?

trixiebust

I'd stay well clear of a 3 series petrol. Bought one a few months ago, & have regretted it ever since.

Very common issues: timing chain, injectors,coils,plugs, catalytic converter failures, vanos solenoids,02 sensors to name but a few.

If it's the N43 engine, don't buy one.